A retirement home is celebrating 'Friendship Month', a month which gives everyone 30 exciting days that are filled with opportunities to celebrate friendship.

Dutton Lodge in Penrith is making the most of the month as new research shows that a quarter of older people would like to make new friends.

Churchill Retirement Living is encouraging older people in Penrith to leave loneliness behind and make new friends at its Dutton Lodge development, where a £20 Café Nero or Costa voucher is on offer to every new visitor who takes a tour of the development by December 17.

It comes as new research shows that a quarter of older people would like to make a new pool of friends but have no idea where to start.

A survey of 1,000 people aged 65 and over, conducted by Churchill Retirement Living, revealed 30 per cent think they have lost the art of small talk as they have got older, and almost half (45 per cent) don't feel like they spend enough time socialising.

Overall, a third of older people admitted they have experienced loneliness – a feeling which can cause the decline of both their physical and mental health.

The research was revealed by Churchill Retirement Living as part of its Friendship Month, where it is encouraging people to tour visit its developments and see the social element of independent living.

Churchill’s regional marketing manager, Bernadette Hennelly, said: “At Churchill we understand the importance of friendship as well as independence, so we have created Friendship Month – a time to celebrate the benefits of friendship and support that come with a new apartment at Dutton Lodge.

"It’s an ideal time for people to come and see the lifestyle on offer here and we’re even giving a free voucher to new visitors so they can enjoy a coffee and a catch up with a friend on us.”

Dutton Lodge is a collection of one and two bedroom privately-owned retirement apartments available to buy now.

Each apartment has been designed exclusively for those in their retirement years and has a number of safety and security features, such as a 24-hour emergency call line and a video entry system, for complete peace of mind.

To find out more call 01768 758814 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk